Promotion-winning Celtic Crusaders have undergone a makeover to give their new kit and the club itself a more progressive image.

The previous Celtic Crusaders logo has been replaced by a more modern one which is already proudly in place on the 2008 home kit as well as acting as the masthead of this, the official website www.crusadersrfl.com.

Chief executive David Thompson explained, “The reason for the rebranding was simply that we wanted to make sure our image was in line with what we are all striving to achieve.

“Interest in Celtic Crusaders from fans, sponsors and the media snowballed last season. It culminated in us winning promotion to Division One and it’s important now for the club to capitalise on that to keep the valuable momentum growing.

“The new badge is modern, progressive and business-friendly. Our Welsh identity is prominent as ever through the gold and black Flag of St David which still provides the colours of our home strip.

“The new brand is now being rolled out throughout the club. As part of the bigger picture, it will provide us with the identity

we need to help us reach the very highest level of rugby league, which is where our ambitions lie.”

Celtic Crusaders Rugby League Club will kick-off their third season in February 2008 with two consecutive away matches in their four-team six-game Northern Rail Cup.

This year’s Co-operative National League Two champions travel north to face fellow National League One side Sheffield Eagleson Friday 1st February before making the trip down the M4 to take on London Skolars, a team they’ve beaten eight times in as many matches in the last two years.

Their first home match is against the Eagles at the Brewery Field in Bridgend on Saturday 16th February (kick-off 5.30pm).

Doncaster RLFC, relegated from NL1 last season and a team that the Crusaders have never faced before, are the remaining side in the group.

The Crusaders start their first season of National League One rugby with a home tie against Dewsbury Rams on Good Friday 21st March (kick-off 3pm).

Crusaders’ operations manager Gerald McCarthy said: “We’re looking forward to the start of the season with great anticipation. As already announced, we’ve an exciting new squad and we’re ready to take National League One by storm. Roll on February 1st.”

The full fixture list can be found at www.crusadersrfl.com

article by Ian Golden
3 December 2007